Week 76: Quarantine and Viral Owls

 Morning everyone! 

So we are kind of in quarantine which has been a grind. We had a misisonary conference on tuesday downtown Calgary and someone got their positive test results for covid while there! Why they were there awaiting results? Who knows! They thought they were negative lol. So after that we were locked down and tested.

The huge pro to that is we accidentally signed up for the downtown Calgary testing centre so I drove through downtown right at night! I got an inconclusive test, so we went again the next day to a different but still downtownish testing centre. We were both negative but the mission to play it safe wants all quarantining because of "close contact". But we werent legally close contact, so we are going loose quarantine. 

That's meant lots of zoom calls, no chnage of scenery, and lots of card games!! Weve been grinding those. 

But the work doesnt stop! We had a great missionary work training with all our members in which in prep we  brainstormed a huge resource list so now members have lots of direction!  I also posted the picture of the owl I saw at our house last week onto an Alberta bird group. It got... 2.5 k reactions, 336 comments and 58 shares! And I was able to start talking to like 10 people! So facebook work has been fun!

We also got blue light glasses cause we have mad tech headaches and I wear pajama pants all day w a suit top. 

I've been studying humility lately and have actually had a lot of realizations. How it's more about having a correct understanding of God's identity than it is us vs others. If we have that correct, all else will fall into place. I've also realized it comes down to 2 words: TRUST and ACKNOWLEDGE. The truly humble can do those two things in all circumstances and that's really the goal. And if we truly understand and know who God is, we can better do those things! I struggle more with those two things than I thought honestly. I struggle to trust and acknowledge gods plan is best. So that's why I work on it! 

I got through this week thanks to heavenly father and I trust this is his work. Our lack of "success" is part of his plan and I trust as we keep working, we will see success, whatever that means he gives us. 

Have a great week everyone!

Love, 

Elder Fiore 

1. Move! (Pre quarantine)

3.zoom call. We clicked the screenshot button while waiting for a  mom to answer then after the call realizes these sent to her when we clicked. So that was awkward.

4.elder Pitman. Hes been in the same area 21 months LOL. He asks for it though 

5-6 car covid test selfies. Had to wear the glasses cause they were new. Just picked them up

7.me

8. Night Calgary!

9.pizza! Beatties fed us 3 nights in a row haha

10.elder Choi!

11.Calgary! 

Week 75: OVO

 Good morning all!

Elder Johnson and I are grinding up here in the north! Lots of member visits, church talks, some service, running in our underground parking garage and Facebook of course! Things are going great with him! He gave me a back massage which was much appreciated. 

They have massive bunnies here that are as big as cats but more dense I swear. We also had an owl fly onto our balcony and that was really cool. Little tender mercy and it was beautiful but creepy. Looked like the babadook. His eyes at least. 

Johnson and I jokingly said to eachother early this week how we dont like getting soup or chili for dinner for a variety of reason. We proceeded to then have soup, then chili, then soup. So we played ourselves. 

We had an bonfire with a family too now that outdoor gatherings are again allowed which was fun. Out in the country too. I like not feeling like a misisonary for bits if time to ponder life. 

The coolest part of the week was going to the Calgary Temple! Last week for weekly planning (longer planning session done once a week, typically Thursday here) we went to Calgary to swap cars. This week I jokingly said "let's do another road trip, but this time to the temple" and then we liked the idea so we found an excuse to drive the 30 minutes and see it (to get mail and drop off a book). It was beautiful and worth the drive. We couldn't go in or do anything but you can still feel how special a building it is and how amazing things happen inside. Maybe not now, but it still has that spirit! We also hung out with other missionaries I had never met so that was great. It was a good little roadtrip in the end. I just love the temple and that love has grown a lot! 

Hopefully things start picking up a bit more but its been a steady grind! God sees effort not result. So I feel.good about what weve been doing. 

Have a fantastic week everyone! 

Love,

Elder Fiore 

1-2 🔥

3. President cut out at our house

4 temple!

5. 🐆🥤from foodbank

6.🦉

7. Calgary!!!

8. temple 

9. Snowfall!

Week 74: Way up, I feel blessed

 Hello!!

Hope everyone had a good week! I have big news! Exactly a year after leaving my "baby area" in Tahiti, I leave my baby area in Calgary! 

Before I get way ahead of myself, I'll start with my last few days in Lethbrdige. It was really sad leaving, but after 7 months I think change was good. I had a nice visit w Rachael's old companion, sister Stephan, from vancouver mission who had just moved to Lethbridge which was fun, and we had lots of door way talks with members to say bye! Some members also brought by gifts my last night haha.  I was very sad and nervous leaving. I've changed as a person in so many ways in Lethbridge. And met soo many amazing people. Many highs and many lows so it was crazy that this chapter is over. Packing was also a grind and I have so much stuff, it's bad. 

I have been transferred to Airdrie, Alberta, which is a "city" 20 minutes north of Calgary! I cover 3 wards still, Luxstone, Reunion and Yankee Valley! So far it's been great and I like the vibe up north. Not sure about this zone of missionaries though tbh. I've also already been able to go close to Calgary a few times and it's fun having our own city up north, but being close to calgary! But the city hasnt even been the good part, what I've loved is my companion, our apartment and the wards thus far! 

My companion is Elder Johnson, from St George, Utah and weve been getting along sooo well. We talk so much and have a lot in common. He works hard too and is a great missionary so it's been fun. Our apartment is 4th floor in a building, we sleep in the living room so its open concept and super nice. Best part is that we each have our own full bathroom and bedroom to keep stuff In. And we went and talked to our neighbours to introduce me, gave them turtles and got their wifi! So now the apartment is even better. And lastly, the wards have been good! Lots of families which I love. I havnt been able to meet with too many people, but those have I've liked. Its gonna be hard to compare w lethbridge members, but I'll give them a chance. It's also overwhelming all these new ppl and to determine who's awesome, but names are starting to come slowly! 

The work is a little slower and less booming here, but it takes time in areas and I know it's come along way with elder Johnson already, so we'll keep the momentum. Good things will come and we have to show and motivate the members that things continue even during covid. That's with everything. We cant just hang on and endure, but figure out ways to adapt and thrive! 

The change of a new area and change of literally everything hasnt been as hard as I expected! I was anxious right after transfer calls, but havnt been here! I was expected to struggle hard. It's been a very pleasant surprise and nice. 

Hope everyone has a great week! Go and act now! Dont wait for covid to "end" !

Love, 

Elder Fiore

1. Last picture with the bridge and elder Weaver. Bye bye Lethbridge :(

2.new companion elder Johnson 

3.bye sister Campbell! 7 months together in the bridge 

4.last zoom specialist English class. Gonna miss the gang. 

5.bye to the Francis family! 

6. Now sister Lamb is in the picture! 

7.bye to Xander and Micheal. The GOATS

8. Calgary 

Saying goodbye to Lethbridge and Hello Airdrie: